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Kidnapping victim, transported through Camarillo, spotted in Arizona

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office was asking for the public's help to find possible kidnapping victim, Virginia Paris, 55, of Lompoc.(Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

A woman, reportedly kidnapped in Solvang and known to have been in Camarillo, was spotted Sunday morning in Arizona with the kidnapping suspect, authorities said.

Virginia Paris, 55 of Lompoc, was reportedly seen at a Starbucks in Goodyear, Arizona shortly after 7 a.m., according to Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office officials.

Paris reportedly ordered a drink and gave her name as Virginia, authorities said. The woman then entered the restroom and exited at which time Paris informed a female customer that she was in need of help, authorities said.

The kidnapping suspect, 52-year-old Lompoc resident Joseph Hetzel, witnessed the incident and allegedly grabbed Paris, dragged her out of the shop and kicked her into a black 2015 Chrysler 200 with license plate number 7NGE514, officials said.

Authorities said the Chrysler belongs to Paris.

As the vehicle left the scene at a high rate of speed Paris threw the vehicle's registration out the window where it was recovered by Goodyear police, authorities said.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office was looking for a black 2015 Chrysler 200 with a California License plate number of 7NGE514 in connection with a Solvang kidnapping.(Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

Sheriff's investigators said Paris was kidnapped Friday afternoon from Solvang by her ex-boyfriend, Hetzel.

Authorities said that Paris and Hetzel left Solvang headed south on Highway 101 and drove through Ventura County and were known to have been in the Camarillo area.

Paris' associates told investigators that she had recently sought and was granted a restraining order against Hetzel, though it had yet to be served, authorities said.

She is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes.

According to sheriff's officials, Hetzel, described as 6 feet 2 inches tall with brown hair and hazel eyes, has previously served time in prison for possession of items used to make explosives and using explosives with intent to terrorize.

Authorities said Hetzel should be considered armed and dangerous. Citizens are advised not to approach or contact Hetzel if he is spotted, authorities said.

Sheriff's officials also advised anyone with information regarding the locations of Paris or Hetzel to contact 911. An anonymous tip can also be made by calling 805-691-4171 or http://www.sbsheriff.org/anonymoustips.html.